Archives for March 2014

Jeremiah 17:5-14 paints a wonderful contrast between the person who trusts and depends on the man/self/the flesh for strength and the one who trusts in the Lord for his strength. Where we place our trust and where we find our strength affects so many aspects of our lives, including the sense of freedom and joy we experience. Read through Jeremiah 17:5-14 and list the contrasts you see between these two.

We all have an independent nature about us that wants to have it “our way” and to control circumstances and people in our lives as we see fit —Scripture refers to it as our “flesh”.

The enemy loves to keep us independent and operating in our own strength…our flesh. There are many tactics he employs to keep us focused on our self-sufficiency. I’d like to focus on a few that we tend to struggle with as women: …continue reading

Expectations! We all have them. When our expectations collide with our reality, it is what I call “expectality”. Sometimes it can be good—better than we expected—but very often it’s an explosion in our lives. Our expectations can become a trap imprisoning us—robbing our joy and peace, and ruining relationships. How do we get out of this expectation trap? Some suggest we should just not have any expectations and then we won’t be disappointed. I think that tends to be a bit fatalistic and an attitude that can stunt growth in our life. God has purpose even the hard places of our lives, even in our disappointed longings and expectations. God has wired us with a sense of expectancy.

I’d like to share some practical steps we can take to GET OUTof the “expectation trap” so our expectations are not ruling our lives, robbing us of joy and ruining our relationships.

We can choose how we will respond to our unfulfilled and disappointed longings!…continue reading

Do you have dreams, desires, and expectations that have yet to be fulfilled? Are there disappointed longings in your life? Is there a specific request you have been waiting patiently for God to answer? Is there something you are groaning and yearning for? Do you feel like a plane in a holding pattern…circling…waiting to land? Have your unfulfilled expectations and waiting bred the dreaded 3 D’s? Discontentment, Disappointment, and Discouragement.

All too often, our faith tragically fails to flourish because instead of learning to be content regardless of our circumstances, we endlessly strive to rearrange and manipulate the details in our lives, in order to bring about a “temporary joy”― one that never lasts and never fully satisfies. We’re not satisfied with contented dissatisfaction. —Cherie Hill

We’ve all had disappointments in life — circumstances and people have let us down. I’ve certainly had my share. There are things I have struggled with for years, circumstances and relationships that I’d hope would change or improve. So what are we supposed to do with all these disappointed longings? Are they normal? Is there something wrong with us?…continue reading

His Word is living and active. Hebrews 4:12 – living and active, divides soul and spirit, joint and marrow and judges the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. It’s real!

His Word cleanses and renews. John 17:17

His Word is good and for my good. Proverbs 16:20, 1 Peter 1:25

His Word guides and directs. Psalm 25:5, John 16:13

His Word stands firm (does not wither or fade). Isaiah 40:8

His Word is eternal. I Peter 1:25

His Word isimperishable (living and abiding). 1 Peter 1:23

His Word encourages and comforts. Romans 15:4

His Word is trustworthy and faithful. Psalm 111:7

His Word teaches, rebukes, corrects and trains in righteousness so that we are thoroughly equipped for every good work! 2 Timothy 3:16-17

His Word changes my daily life. Psalm 86:11

So often in life we get stuck. Stuck in our comfort zones. Stuck in our routines. Stuck in a rough place. Stuck in our hard places. Hebrews 4:14-16 has a word of encouragement for us regarding this and how we can live REAL! …continue reading

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? —Psalm 27:1

Overwhelmed…

But He said to me, “ My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. —2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Weary with life…

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. —2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Weary in my work…

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. —Matthew 11:28-29

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. —1 Corinthians 15:58

Real — it has become a relative term in our world today and hard to know at times what is real and what is not. Things are constantly in a state of flux —from our weather, to our economic and political situation and even our everyday lives at times. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of whatever has blown into our lives at the moment. It’s easy to lose perspective. It’s easy to become discouraged and feel overwhelmed by all life is throwing at us. And our tendency and habit is to put on our “happy face” masks and walk around feeling isolated and alone, as if we are the only ones dealing with disappointment, discouragement and defeat.

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. —Romans 1:25

So where do we go for answers and how do we find purpose, joy, contentment and peace in the midst of life’s craziness?…continue reading